Product Information

Publisher's Description

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With over 40 million books sold, bestselling author Josh McDowell is no stranger to creatively presenting biblical truth. Now, partnering with fellow apologist Dave Sterrett, Josh introduces a new series targeted at the intersection of story and truth.

The Coffee House Chronicles are short, easily devoured novellas aimed at answering prevalent spiritual questions. Each book in the series tackles a long-contested question of the faith, and then answer these questions with truth through relationships and dialogue in each story.

In Did the Resurrection Happen, Really?: A Dialogue on Life, Death, and Hope, the college campus is rocked by a shooting spree that leaves nine students dead. Their up-close experience with mortality allies the coffee house discussion group together to really wrestle with the spiritual and eternal ramifications of whether or not Jesus rose from the dead.

The other two books in the series: Is the Bible True, Really? and Who is Jesus, Really? continue the unfolding story at the college campus and the coffee house down the road.

Author Bio

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JOSH MCDOWELL As a young man, Josh McDowell considered himself an agnostic. He truly believed that Christianity was worthless. However, when challenged to intellectually examine the claims of Christianity, Josh discovered compelling, overwhelming evidence for the reliability of the Christian faith. In 1961 Josh joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Not long after, he started the Josh McDowell Ministry to reach young people worldwide with the truth and love of Jesus.

DAVE STERRETT is a conference speaker and writer for a movement called I am Second. Along with ministering in churches, high schools, and college campuses, Dave serves as an adjunct professor of New Testament, Philosophy and Apologetics at Liberty University. In addition to the three book series, Coffee House Chronicles, Dave is the author of Why Trust Jesus? (Moody Publishers) and co-author of the book, "O" God, A Dialogue on Truth and Oprah's Spirituality.

In this installment of the coffee house series, this book is about Jesus Christ's life and death and is set around a series of discussions with several college students, some of who are Christians and some who are not.

I like the format, because it was set in conversation-debate style, it is easy to read through.

McDowell and his co-writer Dave Sterrett interject a lot of references to both Christian and secular philosophers, historians and critics into the conversation and almost always reference the bible within these debates.

This book covers everything from Heaven to the medical evidence of the crucifixion to the evidence of the empty tomb. This little book packs a real punch. I found myself highlighting, writing notes and doing quite a bit of bookmarking. This would be a wonderful book for people who are starting to look for solid evidence about Jesus' death and resurrection, but want something easier to read. I think is going to be a book I go back to again and again and again.

Christian apologist Josh McDowell displays a deep commitment to bringing the message of Jesus Christ and salvation to young people. In "Did the Resurrection Happen_Really?" he approaches the mission from a fictional standpoint.

On a modern college campus, a debate between an instructor, representing the historical Christ, an atheist and an agnostic leads to tension and questioning among the student body. The school hosts an atheist club along with faith-based groups and seems an unlikely place for violence. Yet a shooting occurs and the survivors search for answers.

McDowell paints a detailed picture of a community in crisis and shows the meaning of hope because of the Resurrection. He accomplishes this through lively, often dramatic conversation among the characters in a series of encounters between believers, seekers and those firmly against the Christian faith.

As the students interact, they discuss scripture, history and truth. One such discussion centers on the reasons people believe. Should people come to faith because it gives them comfort or because it has been proven to them intellectually? The subjects range from the garden tomb of Jesus to Elvis and Michael Jackson in a supermarket, as a formerly atheistic professor describes his reasons for accepting Jesus (at a backyard barbeque, no less).

McDowell and Sterrett tell the story with a deft touch, avoiding a "wise adult lecturing poor, ignorant kids" attitude. The book is a journey of discovery among peers, with pro and con given equal weight. The presentation is balanced and a convincing depiction of questioning young people pursuing a subject. They ask questions and discuss possible answers.

As part of the Coffee House Chronicles series, "Did the Resurrection Happen_Really?" takes its place in a library of faith-based books for young adults. The books entertain, while sharing the gospel story in a fictional setting. Parents can share these books with their children without fear of inappropriate language or activities. Young Christians can share these books with their unsaved friends without danger of appearing preachy.

This review is based upon a review copy of the book provided by the publisher with no constraints on content.